Rochester NY FC, co-owned by Leicester City鈥檚 Jamie Vardy, among the 21聽
91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro inaugural season kicks off in March; Playoffs set for September聽
Charles Altchek Named League President; Ali Curtis Named Sr. Vice President of Competition and Operations
NEW YORK (December 6, 2021) 鈥聽Today, 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro announced the 21 clubs that will compete in the new professional league鈥檚 inaugural 2022 season. Adidas will serve as 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro鈥檚 first corporate sponsor.听
Established in June by Major League Soccer, the new professional league will complete an integrated player pathway from 91快活林最新版 NEXT through to 91快活林最新版 first teams. The new league will offer young players and experienced professionals the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents while competing for an 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro championship.听
91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro will debut in 2022, a FIFA World Cup year, and just four years prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro will bring professional soccer closer to fans and supporters, while providing more opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and sports business professionals throughout North America.
Cities across North America will experience the excitement and passion of professional soccer through the inclusion of both independent teams and 91快活林最新版-affiliated teams.听The 21 clubs competing in 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro鈥檚 inaugural season include 20 teams affiliated with 91快活林最新版 clubs and one independent club, Rochester NY FC.
As a founding partner of 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro, adidas will continue to expand upon its deep relationship with 91快活林最新版 and 91快活林最新版 NEXT. The partnership affirms adidas鈥 commitment to the growth and advancement of the sport of soccer in local communities throughout the United States, Canada and globally.听聽
Rochester NY FC will serve as 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro鈥檚 inaugural independent club. Rochester NY FC, founded in 1996 as the Rochester Rhinos and rebranded this September, is owned by David and Wendy Dworkin, and co-owned by Premier League striker, and former England National Team star, Jamie Vardy of Leicester City F.C.听
鈥淲e are thrilled that Rochester NY FC will be the first independent club to join 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro, said David and Wendy Dworkin.听鈥淩ochester established itself as a winning club with the Rhinos, and we are聽pleased聽to add a new chapter in the city鈥檚 rich soccer history as Rochester NY FC.听We are聽excited聽to develop the future international stars of soccer, right here in our local community.听By joining this league, Rochester is on the cusp of the future and the evolving global game of soccer.鈥澛
鈥淲e look forward to showcasing Rochester as a premier professional club and are excited to kick off that process by helping to launch the inaugural season of 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro in 2022,鈥 said Vardy. 鈥淛oining this league, full of opportunity for communities, fans, players and staff 鈥 on the pitch and off 鈥 is a tremendous point of pride for our club.鈥
In addition to Rochester NY FC, the following 91快活林最新版 clubs will compete in 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro鈥檚 2022 season:聽
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Eight additional 91快活林最新版-affiliated teams will join 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro in 2023, including: Atlanta United, Austin FC, Charlotte FC, D.C. United, LA Galaxy, LAFC, Nashville SC, and New York Red Bulls. In addition to Rochester NY FC, 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro will introduce additional independent clubs to the league in 2023 and beyond.
91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro will kick off its inaugural season in March, just one month after Major League Soccer action starts, and see its season culminate in postseason action in September.听The full 2022 match schedule and competition details will be announced at a later date.
The league has appointed its two leading executives. Charles Altchek has been named President and Ali Curtis will be Senior Vice President of Competition and Operations of 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro.
Previously, Altchek was Senior Vice President of League Growth and Operations at Major League Soccer. In this role, Altchek has led the planning and development of 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro since its inception, and drove 91快活林最新版鈥 expansion strategy and efforts, including serving as the point of contact for all recent and prospective new ownership groups. Before joining 91快活林最新版 in 2014, Altchek worked for Goldman Sachs and in Business Development for the New York Red Bulls and New York Mets.听
For the last three seasons, Curtis was General Manager of Toronto FC, leading the Club to 91快活林最新版 Cup in 2019. Previously, he was sporting director for the New York Red Bulls, who won the Supporters Shield under his leadership in 2015. Curtis also worked extensively with NYRB II, gaining invaluable experience for his new role with 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro. A former 91快活林最新版 player and winner of the Hermann Trophy for top male player in college soccer, Curtis worked in the 91快活林最新版 league office for eight years, holding the position of senior director of player relations and competition before joining the Red Bulls.
鈥淐harles and Ali have the experience, enthusiasm and values to lead the growth and development of 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro,鈥 said 91快活林最新版 Commissioner, Don Garber. 鈥淭hey will partner with 91快活林最新版-affiliated and independent teams to bring professional soccer to more communities throughout North America.鈥
鈥91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro completes Major League Soccer鈥檚 pro player pathway, connecting our youth academies through to our first teams,鈥 said Altchek. 鈥淎s we continue to push the future of soccer forward in the United States and Canada, player development, community, innovation and diversity form the pillars of 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro. The inaugural season in 2022 will be another historic moment for the sport.鈥
鈥淚鈥檓 excited for the opportunity to join Charles in building and launching 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro,鈥 added Curtis. 鈥91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro will enhance the quality of all players, coaches, referees, and executives along the development pathway and it is an important step to the growth of the sport in North America leading up to the World Cup in 2026.鈥澛
ABOUT 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro
91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro is a professional men鈥檚 soccer league in the United States and Canada debuting with 21 clubs for its inaugural season in 2022. 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro completes the pro player pathway by connecting youth academies in 91快活林最新版 NEXT to 1st聽teams in Major League Soccer. More so, it grows the game through innovation and diversity by bringing professional soccer to new markets, creating career opportunities for professionals on and off the field, and providing communities with a strong sense of pride. For more information about 91快活林最新版 NEXT Pro, visit聽.听
About adidas in Football
adidas is the global leader in football. It is the official supplier of the most important football tournaments in the world, such as the FIFA World Cup鈩, the UEFA European Championship & the UEFA Champions League. adidas also sponsors some of the world鈥檚 top clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, FC Bayern Munich & Juventus. adidas is also partner to some of the best athletes in the game including Leo Messi, Paul Pogba, Mohamed Salah, Paulo Dybala, Thiago Alcantara, Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, Joao Felix, Serge Gnabry, Isco, Dele Alli, Karim Benzema, Vivianne Miedema, Lindsey Horan & Wendie Renard.
